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Michael Wolff & Impure Thoughts: Dangerous Vision
ByWolff, who was Cannonball Adderley's pianist in his final band, invited an audience to this studio session, mindful of Adderley's use of that technique to give his sessions a live club feel, which the band feeds off. He also tips a hat to his Adderley days by featuring Nat's classic jazz composition "Work Song" with a funky, bluesy rearrangement. Impure Thoughts tackles five of Wolff's originals and total of four jazz classics. In addition to "Work Song," the chestnuts include John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme," Sonny Rollins' "St. Thomas," and the Dizzy Gillespie/Chano Pozo tune "Soul Sauce." The latter was a favorite groove tune during his first professional gigwith Latin jazz vibes player Cal Tjader. On each of the covers, the band adds rhythmic and melodic twists that take the tunes into new territory.
The piece de resistance is the band's wild take on "A Love Supreme," on which Wolff's Tyner-esque keyboard takes on a hint of Latin clave and rides an exotic cushion of berimbau (Airto), tablas (Badal Roy), and drums. Wolff's originals share the same feeling of improvisational adventure as the band explores their various film score moods with rhythmic oddities. All of the players contribute mightily, showcasing the elastic bass technique of longtime band mate John B. Williams.
Track Listing
1. Dangerous Vision 4:48 2. Work Song 6:27 3. Love Supreme 3:11 4. St. Thomas 6:31 5. Rupak 7:45 6. Heart and Soul 6:29 7. In the Moment 5:36 8. Empty House 7:11 9. Soul Sauce 6:00.
Personnel
Michael Wolff
pianoMichael Wolff, piano and electric piano; Airto Moreira, percussion (all but 6); Badal Roy, tablas; John B Williams, upright electric bass; Victor Jones, drums (3-9); Mike Clark, drums (1-2).
Album information
Title: Dangerous Vision | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Artemis Records
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